Spode British East India Company Armorial Plate 1823-1824. Ref. P105
Maker: Spode, England
Date: 1823-1824
History: Due to a fire at the British East India Company in Canton which totally destroyed their headquarters, a new Armorial service was ordered from Spode in 1823. However, John Barnett Sotherby, the Captain, of one of the British East India ships named The London, ordered his own personal service at the same time for use on his ship. This porcelain service differed from the main service by the addition of The London mark on the back as well as the Spode mark. The London made 8 voyages to the East between 1819 and 1832. However, Spode evidently made a grave error in the initial production. Instead of The London mark on the back, the engraver got the spelling wrong and the plate on offer is marked as The Londcon!! I sent photos of the plate to the Spode Museum in Staffordshire and, below is their answer
Your plate was produced by Spode for the Honourable East India Company, c.1823/24. It has a Gadroon shape edge which was first introduced at Spode in about 1824. The earliest pattern number recorded in the pattern books is 3934 from that year. The shape copied the elegant shapes in Georgian silver wares and very many patterns are recorded on the shape at Spode. It was particularly used for teawares and elaborate dessert services. The moulded border design is known as Flower embossed and is usually reserved in white on a coloured border but in this case the moulding has been outlined in gold, which is extremely elegant. One famous service made in this shape was for the Honourable East India Company in 1824 with its arms to the centre. The East India Company held a position of power serving the sub-continent as their private empire.
Services with armorial bearings have always been a speciality of Spode. Earthenware was ideal for everyday use but for special occasions a dessert service with full coat of arms in proper colours would be a way to impress the guests. Some dessert services of the Spode period are entirely hand decorated. Armorial services were also commissioned by large institutions, such as this one for the Honourable East India Company and for Royalty and regimental messes. The Arms on the East India Company service is particularly fine.
The back of the plates in the service has a printed mark The London within a ribbon banner. This mark is bat printed in puce colour from an engraved copper plate. The London was one of the East India Companys ships but I am not sure of the dates it was in service, but I think years prior to 1823/4. The bat printed Spode Felspar mark is also printed in puce this mark is one of a series of Felspar marks which came into use in 1821 when felspar was added to the bone china body, a heavier and more durable type of porcelain.
The printed ribbon banner on your plate is obviously an error the engraver did not get the spelling of London correct. No doubt the engraving was destroyed, and the copper plate polished smooth for re-use, there is no record of it that we can find in the store.I hope the above information is helpful, however, if you have any queries please contact me.
Regards, Janis
Janis L. Rodwell (Mrs)
Trustee
The Spode Museum Trust
www.spodemuseumtrust.org
Description: A large armorial for the British East India Company featuring rampant lions standing either side of a red Cross of St George, a motto on ribbon below reading AUSPICIO-REGIS-ET-SENATUS-ANGLAE (By the authority of the King and Parliament of England). Also See above description from Spode.
Condition: The plate offered remains in good condition with just one small chip on the foot-rim and some slight loss of gilding to the inner rim.
Dimensions: The plate measures 22.5 cm in diameter and stands 2.6 cm high
For comparison Google Spode Felspar 'East Indies Company' plate, 'The London' armorial and you will find a similar plate without the mistake advertised at AU $1,929.20 Approximately £987.56. Of course, the plate offered above is much rarer with the misspelt ships name, and, to date I have not been able to find another.
Price: R1,100.00
Please note, I am NOT a qualified archaeologist/antiquarian and the description I have given is based on research of the subject.
This is a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE.
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